Texas A&M, the state's first public institution of higher education, was opened on Oct. 4, 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and at that time the "A" and "M" initials were used to abbreviate the name components. When the institution gained university status in 1963, the "A&M" representation (no periods, no spaces and with an ampersand) was incorporated into the official name in deference to the institution's history and rich traditions, but the individual letters no longer explicitly stand for anything.

What is an Aggie?

An Aggie is a student at Texas A&M University. In the early 1900s A&M students were referred to as Farmers. The term Aggie began to be used in the 1920s and in 1949, when the yearbook changed its name to Aggieland, Aggie became the official student body nickname.**Source: Texas A&M Traditions and Spirit, by C.J. Bible

What is the 12th Man?

The 12th Man is the entire student body—past and present. Sprung from the selfless gesture of E. King Gill at a 1922 football game, the tradition embodies the core values held by the university. Students still show that 12th Man spirit at each athletic event by standing for the entire game, ready to go in if needed.

What is the mascot?

Reveille VIII, a full-blooded collie, is Texas A&M's mascot. As the highest-ranking member of Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets, Reveille is part of a rich tradition. "Miss Rev", as cadets address her, is immensely popular and can be seen around campus, in class, or attending a number of events.

What are the official colors?

Maroon and white. The colors are such a prominent part of A&M that they are referred to in "The Spirit of Aggieland," which was written in 1925. Tied to their alma mater's pride, Aggies sing, "We've got to fight for Maroon and White." As part of a new tradition for football games, certain games are designated as "Maroon Outs" where fans are encouraged to wear maroon clothing. In 2007, to make it easier to match the maroon color used by Texas A&M and its licensees, worldwide color authority Pantone Inc. created a custom "Aggie Maroon" color.

The local weather is fairly temperate and mild with low temperatures in the winter lasting only a couple of months. Typical lows during the winter are in the low 40s, and typical highs during the summer range in the 90s. The humidity for this region can make winter days seem cooler and summer days warmer, and scattered showers or thunderstorms provide relief and rainfall to the area throughout the year. Weather forecasts for the local area are available from the National Weather Service.

What is the Corps of Cadets?

Texas A&M was established in 1876 as a military institution, and the Corps of Cadets has played an important part in its history and development. While membership is now voluntary, the A&M Corps of Cadets form the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.